Writing while wondering why I’m up so early! Couldn’t sleep…woke up around 4 am…ugh!
As the end of the year rapidly approaches, I thought now would be a good time to review the top stories of the Socialstudieswithasmile.com blog.
Our list will include 8 top “stories”
#8….The Socialstudieswithasmile.com Begin is Born!
It all started on June 8, 2009 with a very simple statement:
Welcome to the socialstudieswithasmile.com blog. Good luck on your finals!
Over the summer I’d post every 4-5 days with an audience of 1 (me). Once school began we added a few loyal posters and other frequent readers. We’ve evolved to include such daily topics as This Day In History, Celebrity Birthdays, The Question of the Day and random facts (both historical and bizarre). I also include my thoughts on the day at school. Best of all, this blog has allowed me to get to know some of my students better…which is the reason I started this blog earlier in the year. I intend to keep it going as long as I have the time and something to write about.
Now back to present day…
The mouse returned! By the way Keara screamed in class yesterday, I thought it was an insane killer trying to get in the room. It certainly put a damper on our ability to discuss political cartoons. Speaking of political cartoons, you will have an assignment, probably in January, to create a political cartoon on an American Revolution topic. Don’t forget some of the techniques that we have discussed.
I didn’t watch the entire Santa Clause movie yesterday…I tried to get some work done…but what I did see seemed pretty good. I think the sound quality was much better with Mr. Buchman’s speakers. I’m going to try to upgrade sooner rather than later.
I thought the Laughs and Lunch cartoons were fun. The baseball one is one of my favorites. I’m looking forward to seeing the Tortoise and the Hare cartoon. That one is great also.
For those of you who are celebrating, Have a Merry Christmas. As always, enjoy this time with your family.
I think we’re going to have a pretty large number of students who will be returning to school with tans. I’ll be jealous!
On This Day In History:
1524-Vasco da Gama died.-As you recall, Vasco da Gama was the first person to sail around the tip of Africa to get to Asia. Remember, we gave da Gama the grade of V.G. for very good. He was able to do what Dias (grade of D) could not do.
1814-This day also marked the signing of the Treaty of Ghent (in Belgium). This treaty was the treaty to end the War of 1812. The War of 1812 was a war between the United States and Great Britain.
Birthdays Today include Ryan Seacrest of American Idol. By the way, I can’t watch that show anymore…it has become too predictable with the same songs, judges comments, etc. every year. However, the show definitely changed television and in my opinion for the better. There are now shows on television that you can watch as a family. The networks got away from family programming for a long time. Now, if only they could bring back more sitcoms I’d be very happy. It is also the birthday of author Mary Higgins Clark and singer Ricky Martin
Enjoy the rest of the day and vacation!
So will you count down until number 1 for top blog stories? I remember receiving your postcard in the mail a couple weeks before school started and I would check your site to see what it’s all about. Now look where we are…
Baseball Bugs is one of the best.
“watch me paste this pathetic palooka with a powerful, paralyzing, perfect pachydermous percussion pitch”
Merry Christmas to all…
Ahhhh…memories! We were all strangers and now one big happy educational family!
Welcome aboard…but be sure to post your real name when commenting…otherwise it will be deleted.
Wow, I remember getting your postcard way back in the summer. In fact, Iliana was at my house when we first looked at your website. I think… unless my memory is failing me. Look where the blog has gone. Impressive. I, unfortunately, won’t be returning to school with a tan. I was in Virginia for the past few days, which is why I wasn’t commenting. But I’m back, so look forward (hopefully) to hearing from me over the rest of the break. Also, I greatly respect your opinion, Mr Dowling, but American Idol happens to be my #1 favorite TV show in the whole world. As usual, Laughs and Lunch on Wed. was really great.